“The Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth… She is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”
— Malachi 2:14 (NIV)
The Subscription Mentality
Modern culture treats marriage like a contract – or worse, a subscription.
- “If you perform, I’ll stay.”
- “If I’m no longer happy, I’ll cancel.”
- “If a better offer comes along, I’m free to upgrade.”
But heaven never intended marriage to be a contract based on mutual benefit. It is a Covenant – a sacred, binding agreement witnessed by God Himself. A contract protects your rights; a covenant protects your connection. A contract is limited by time; a covenant is anchored in eternity.
The Village Witness
In traditional African weddings, the elders and the community were involved in affirming the union. The entire village bore witness. Divorce wasn’t casual; it was a tearing of the community fabric.
In the Diaspora, we often live in isolation. There are no elders on the porch, no aunties in the kitchen. It is just the two of you. This isolation makes it easy to treat marriage casually.
But even if the village isn’t watching, God is.
God joined you for a Kingdom purpose: to sharpen each other, to model His love, and to build a legacy. When storms hit, a contract crumbles. But a covenant holds. When emotions fade, covenant remains.
🛡️ The Covenant Challenge
Action steps for your marriage today.
- The Re-Write: Take 10 minutes today to write 3 “Covenant Affirmations” to your spouse. Start with: “I choose you again because…”
- The Vow: Say them out loud to each other tonight. Look them in the eye.
- The Prayer: Hold hands and say together: “We recommit our covenant – before each other, and before God. We are not just partners; we are one.”
🙏 A Prayer for Commitment
Lord, remind us that we didn’t just marry each other – we entered a covenant with You. Forgive us for treating this relationship casually. Help us to see our vows not just as promises to a person, but as declarations before Heaven. When we feel weak, let our covenant sustain us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.